Bumpy ride for cycleways around the country

“Significant and immediate” impacts on businesses were the reasons a High Court judge stopped work on a Wellington cycleway recently.

Justice Simon France agreed to temporarily halt construction of the Newtown cycleway until a full judicial review hearing in September, after six businesses took legal action against the Wellington City Council.

The businesses - four of which have connections to the car industry - claim there was a lack of consultation over the designs, and that the removal of car parks for the cycleway was a permanent change which would “fundamentally reshape” two kilometres of central city roads.

In his judgement Justice France said the applicants have “identified an arguable case that the Council cannot do what it is doing under the power it relies on. The legality of the process is a question that will have broader implications, and at this early stage a delay of three months, while undoubtedly disappointing, is not critical to the project.”

The cycleway is part of a 166km Paneke Pōneke bike network plan for the capital, to help reduce carbon emissions and make cycling safer. Another section - from Wellington’s Botanic Garden to the city - is also under attack with a petition presented to councillors from a group  also concerned over the removal of car parks. Council officers are working with them to try and reach a compromise.

Wellington City Council says it’s goal is to be a city where it’s easy for people of all ages and abilities to choose low or zero carbon transport options.

Meanwhile Radio New Zealand is reporting cost blowouts of $100 million by Waka Kotahi on national cycleway projects. Information released to RNZ under the Official Information Act show eight of 24 projects have extensive cost increases, meaning some will have to be delayed until after 2024.

Those facing the biggest blowouts include:  

  • Bayfair to Baypark link in Tauranga, original estimate $12m; approved funds now $33m

  • Two Gisborne projects $1.5m; $4.7m

  • Dunedin-Port Chalmers $26m; $43m

  • Hamilton-Cambridge $8m; $11m

  • Petone-Melling $17m; $63m

  • Petone-Ngauranga $182m; $192m (under review)

One project - Glenn Innes to Tāmaki Drive in Auckland, cost $11 million less than anticipated, with tenders lower than expected.

 While rising construction costs and Covid-19 delays have contributed to the budget busts, poor planning and execution is also being blamed.

Cycleways, InfrastructureGuest UserPaneke Poneke